Web-printing press



J. L. Cox

May 6, 1930.

WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed Jan. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l z @w M j S@ 9 Q Q 9 Q S w 9 uE S W! cm Patented May 6, 1930 t nse osnrn new core or enro e rumors, ASSIGNOR or enses 1411 91 OF ON E HALF TO PAUL I. .COX,

wnB-rnmrme PRnss Application filed January 23, 1929. Serial No. 3351,1274.

This invention is a novel improvement in rotary stereotype vveb printing presses of the type in which consecutive duplicate printed impressions are printed upon the veb l gy means of a single set of semi-cylindric plates which are carried on the plate cylinders. Each printing unit comprises two impression cylinders Which cooperate with the same plate cylinder, and the vyeb is led successively between the plate and impression cylinders in each unit so that the blank spaces betyveen impressions produced upon the web by the first impression cylinder and one .plate cylinder, are filled in by like impressions produced from the same plates by the second impression cylinder. This manner of printing is sometimes aptly termed the hit and skip method. Tivo'such printing units are employed to perfect the eb.

The principal object of the present invention .is'to provide a novel perfecting press capable of producing two eight page papers for each rlotationot the plate cylinders from a single set of eight page plates. By duplicating the perfecting units, the capacity of such a press could be increased as desired so that papers of any desired size can be produced from a single set of semi-cylindric plates.

' Another object is to have all the plate and impression cylinders of like diameter, so that they may be directly intergeared and alsoto have all composition and form rollers mounted androtate in fixed bearings Whilein operation.

A farther object is to provide novel means for drivingthe cylinders; and whereby th first and the last cylinder in each perfecting imit will be simultaneously and directly driven so as to obviate backlash ,or lost motion in the gearing between suchcylinders 'lll he cylinders in each printing unit .al'fl arranged in lineand the (two printing units in a perfecting unit are oppositely inclined. This enables the plate cylindersto be plated from above, andlocated at conveniently ,acces'sible height above the floor; and to :have the inking mechanism in convenient position for adjustment and control While in .010 oration. This arrangement also proyides a novel path'zfor the-switch {whereby it my be printed by the hit and skip method, in each printing unit and he reversed beteen the nnits in a simple and very short path; and which enables the web to be very easily threaded through each perfecting unit and 3 led from the periiecting unitto a folder. i

A further object is to provide simple means whereby the inking rollers can be iie'adilyfset on and off the ink drums When it is not ,de} sired to supply ink; and can also readily he moved out of the vay m an is desired to plate the cylinders.

The accompanying drawings illustrate .One practical embodiment of the invention; and I will describe same with reference thereto. In the claims I have summarized the ridg features ofthe invention andnov'el combinations of parts for which protection is desired; i

In said drawings? 3 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an eight page unit press constructed in accordanceiviththe invention. i

Fig. 2 is a view showing the cylinders and driving gear for each couple. i l

E es an n a g e n ugh a Di -i 7: cylinder and one of its related ililpljSSlOll cylinders. i

Fis- 4 1 a la e vi of th wing n arms for the form rollers, and the inkfonnw s v In the construction shoyvn the press has two plate cylinders l with each of whiChtiW impression cylinders 2 and 2? cooperate. Each printing unit comprises a plate .cylinder 1 and tyvo coacting impression cylinders 2, 2 The two printing .units are preferably arranged at an angle of approxim tely 90? to each other, the cylinders 2'? being uppers a the .;f the angle, and thecy i r b n oi si'most' t t e b (of h ang e v v v a C lie jo rnals e h c nd rs .1 rri fera ym whi h a e ,v am pena n l b xe nab 4 lies inders to :be correctly adj listed or it contact of th Plfitfif 9 6 Pl 1?? W th the blankets 5 :thfi mpresses W der p p c.

' All the cyl nder a e let the ean e the pitch line, and they are driven by means of intermeshing gears 1 2 as indicated in Fig. 2. The gears 2 on the impression cylinders 2 and 2 mesh with gears 1 on the plate cylinders 1. The gears 2 on the two upper cylinders 2 intermesh; also the gears 2 on the lower cylinders 2 preferably intermesh with gears 3 on stub shafts d, which carry worm gears 3 directly meshing with worms 4" on a counter shaft l which is preferably directly connected to and driven by an electric motor M, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus the press is driven directly from the motor, and the worm gearing enables the motor to be driven at normal speed while the speed of the press cylinders is reduced to the desired speed. By having both the infeed cylinder 2 and outfeed cylinder 2 directly driven from the shaft a, the last or outfeed cylinder will start and stop instantly *ith the inteed cylinder, and this will obviate lost motion in the gearing, and prevent the cylinders in one unit lagging or running ahead of those in the other unit. This will also prevent tightening and breaking of the web between the infeed and outfecd cylinders in the press.

Each plate cylinder is adapted to carry a semi-cylindric plate P (Fig. on one half of its periphery, and preferably carries four of such plates arranged in a row on one half of the periphery of the cylinder. The diametrically opposite half of each plate cylinder carries an inking surface I of any suitable kind.

The web to may be led directly from the roll 1V to and between the near plate and impression cylinders 2 and 1; then down under a guide roller 5 to and over a second guide roller 5*; then between the plate cylinder 1 and second impression cylinder 2' then down between the two impression cylinders 2, 2" to and under an adjustable guide roller 5; then under and partly around the far impression cylinder 2 and between it and the far plate cylinder 1 of the second printing unit; then under guide roller 5 to and over a guide roller 5; then to and between the far plate cylinder 1 and its coacting impression cylinder 2 and partly around said cylinder 2i to a guide roller 5; from which the web may be led to the folder.

The web guide rollers 5 and 5 are so located and spaced that the blank spaces left on the web t; between impressions printed thereon by the cooperating cylinders 1 and 2, will be filled up by impressions produced on the web from the same plates by the cooperation of the cylinders 1 and 2 Similarly the rollers 5 and 5 are so located and spaced apart that the blank page spaces left between impressions produced on the web by the plate cylinder 1 and impression cylinder 20f the second unit, will be filled up by page impressions produced on the web from the same plates on the second cylinder 1 and the second impression cylinder 2-. Thus by the use of a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates identical consecutive impressions with equal margins will be produced lineally upon the web. The first printing unit will print one side of the web; and the second printing unit will print the opposite side or perfect the web, in the well understood manner. The plates P are inked between each impression by the means hereinafter described.

The impression cylinders are all of exactly the same diameter and the usual packing (felt and rubber) blankets are alike on the bearer or printing line. To obtain the desired impression squeeze a sheet of zinc 2 or press board about 1/64 inch in thickness is placed under the blanket b (Fig. on that half of each impression cylinder that coacts with the usual semi-cylindrical stereotype page plates P to produce an impression; thus leaving the packing on the non-printing half of each compression cylinder 1/6 1 of an inch lower than the impression portion. This is suliicient to prevent the web contacting with the ink plates I carried by the impression cylinder opposite the printing plates. The ink plates I can be cas in the usual plate casting boxes; that is, both the plates P and the inkplates or dummies I can be cast in the same plate casting box, and both can be cut and trimmed by the usual stereotype machinery. Preferably the dummy inking plates 1 are made slightly thinner than the thickness (through the type) of the printing plates P; so that while the plate cylinders are turned perfectly cylindric the type on the plates P project slightly beyond the plane of the surface of the inking plates. though the bearers on all cylinders are a like.

Both the printing plates P and the ink plates I can be secured in position on the peripheries of the plate cylinders by the usual rings and clamps commonly used on the plate cylinders of rotary stereotype presses. for double plating. One set ofsuch clamps holding the plates P, and the other set holding he ink transfer plates 1.

The main cylinders are preferably journa-led in eccentric bearings as shown, for adjustment while the gearing is in mesh. Prei erably the main frame castings are slotted to receive the cylinder journals or bearings so that any cylinder can be readily removed or replaced and said bearings are held in proper position by caps 2" bolted to the main. castmgs.

The construction shown enables all cylinders to be set in perfect alignment so that all the gears will run accurately on their pitch line.

More or less impression pressure can be obtained by adding or removing sheets of packing after the cylinder centers are correctly deteri-nined. This isto keepthe ordinary operator or pressman' from-changing his cylinder centers after the expert or erector has them correctly established.

In the construction shown I have provided a web compensating and take up roller 5 between the web roll and the first impression cylinder 2 which may be yieldingly depressed by a spring 5 In the construction shown ink is supplied to each plate cylinder 1 by means of form rollers 6 and 6 at diametrically opposite sides of the plate cylinder. The rollers 6 receive ink from an ink distributing drum 6" to which ink is supplied by a ductor roller 6 from the fountain roll 8 An ink distributing roller 6 directly cooperates with drum 6*.

The rollers 6 contact alternately with the printing plate P and the ink distributing plate I; and the latter supplies ink to the form inking rollers 6 whichiare journaledin brackets on the sides of the frame to the inner side of the plate cylinder 1 as shown.

The rollers 6 and S are preferably mounted in swinging arms 7 which are pivoted on studs 7* which may be attached to the frame or to the ends of the ink fountains 8. Each arm 7 has a segment 7 which meshes with a pinion 7 on a through shaft 7 having a hand wheel 7 turning thishand wheel the arms 7 with the set of inking rollers thereon can be swungupward away from the plate cylinder, to permit ready access to the cylinder when plating the same.

' The fountain roll'8 ma be operated b a y i y pawl 8 pivoted on a lever 8 which lever ispivoted on one of the studs 7 and is connected by a link 8 to a crank pin on a worm. gear 8 which meshes with worm 8 onthe counter shaft The gear 8 is so proportioned that the fountain roll is properly intermittently shifted in accordance with the speed of the machine and the demand for ink. The ductor roller 6 is preferably carried by bell crank levers 7 pivoted on the arms '7, and one arm of lever 7" carries a roller 7 which engages a flat on the upper side of the adjacent lever 8", so that as lever 8 is moved up anddown the ductor roller is moved to alter nately contact the fountain roll 8 and the drum 6. The form rollers 6 receive ink fromthe plate I and supply it to the plate l? before the second impression is taken therefrom. 1

The rollers 6 are preferably mounted in eccentric bearings 9 so that by turning the eccentrics said rollers can be readily set in or out of operative position. The bearings 9 are shown as provided with arms 9 which are connected by a rod 9- All theink rollers in the press can be readily adjusted into -or,out of operative position by the operator.

On account of the slight difference in the radius of the type surface of the plates 1? and the surface of the inking plates I the rollers 6 may rotate in fixed bearings while the press is in operation, the composition surface of these rollers being sufiiciently yielding to enable them to contact with both the inking surfaces 1 and the plates P without injury to themselves and without over inking the plates.

The press is shown as provided with a transverse rod 6 supported by intermediate roller 6 and on this red are hangers 6 in which the form rollers (5 may besupported while the press is being ma-de read- The upper rollers 6 are auxiliary form rollers, and insure proper inking of the forms should there be any defect in the form rollers 6 which directly contact with the distributing drums 6 The novel arrangement of the plate and im pression cylinders and inclination of the printing couples (3 cylinders in a line in each couple, and the couples arranged at substantially right angles) makes a very perfect-hitand-skip press and one which can be operated perfectly with dependable web lead tension and feed. This novel arrangement of cylinders also provides ample room for plating the press and for threading and reversing the web through the press and the shortest possible amount of web in the press. It also enables all the underlying composition of form rollers to be readily removed and replaced. I a

The difierential packing of the impression cylinders is very important for the reason that to manufacture and machine large impression cylinders cheaply and successfully, they must be turned and finished to a diameter equal to the pitch of the gear tooth line less the blanket space, (generally 1/10 to 1/12 under).

With this arrangement of packing and proper setting of the cylinders and gears no impressions will be made on the web by the ink plates I which are purposely cast 1/64 inch thinnerthan the plates P. To gain impression, without having the cylinder peripheries differ in size-J provide a (llifellltial packing on half of the impression cylinder and have all cylinders of one size. n

The dili'erential packing provided by the sheet of zinc or cardboard Z enables me to print'by the hit and skip method and prevent the inking'plat-es smudging the web. Thus the web, feed and rotationis compensated by the action of these differential packings; one coming on just as the other comes. off, equalizing the tension of the web and keeping it uniform. The "smallest half of the full blanketed impression cylinder allows slackness sufficient for the demands of the raised blanket and plates and the yielding surface of the composition rollers enables them to adjust themselves tothe difference in thickness of the hiking pineal and printing plates P.

Ell

I claim:

1. In a printing press, two units each comprising a plate cylinder and impression cy1- inders cooperating therewith to print and perfect a web, means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom; intermeshing gearing between all the cylinders; and means for directly and simultaneously driving the first impression cylinder of each unit.

2. In a printing press, two units each comprising a plate cylinder and impression cylinders cooperating therewith to print and perfectaweb,meansto ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom, a gear on each cylinder meshing with a gear on the adjacent cylinder, whereby the cylinders are rotated in unison; a motor driven shaft and direct gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the first unit and gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the second unit.

3. In a printing press two printing units each comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery; means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side; and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; intermeshing gearing between all the plate and impression cylinders; and means for directly driving one impression cylinder in each and both units.

4;. In a printing press two printing units each comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery; means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; intermeshing gears on the adjacent cylinders whereby they are all rotated in unison; a motor driven shaft and direct gearing between said shaft and the one impression cylinder of the first unit. and direct gearing between said shaft and the one impression cylinder of the second unit.

5. In a printing press of the character specified two printing units each comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other with the uppermost impression cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle, and the lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle, each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery; means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom, means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinder of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the same plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; intermeshing gears on all the plate and impression cylinders, and means for directly positivelv driving the first impression cylinder of each unit.

6. In a printing press of the character specified two printing units each comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other with the uppermost impression cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle and the lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle, each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one h alt its periphery; means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinder of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the same plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; a gear on each cylinder intermeshing with a gear on the adjacent cylinder, whereby the cylinders are rotated in unison, a driven shaft fil and direct gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the first unit and di rect gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the second unit.

7. In a printing press of the character specified, two printing units each comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other-with the uppermost impression cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle and the lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle; each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single setof semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery and having a semicylindric ink distributing plate on the opposite half of its periphery; means to ink the 1 plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successive- 1y between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web "on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impression produced by the same plate cylinder. and the second impression cylinder of the unit direct gears between aillthe plate and impression cylinders and means for positively and directly driyingthe first impression cylinder of each unit.

8, In a printing press of the character specified two printing :unitseach comprising a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other with the uppermostimpression cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle and the lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle; each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery and having a semicylindric ink distributing plate on the opposite half of its periphery; means to ink the plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinder and plate cylinders of the second unit to perfect the web, the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the same plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; a gear on each cylinder meshing with a gear on the adjacent cylinder, whereby the cylinders are rotated in unison; a driven shaft,

and direct gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the first unit, and direct gearing between said shaft and an impression cylinder of the'second unit, 9. In a printing press of the'character specified two printing units each 'comprisin l a plate cylinder and two impression cylin ers disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other with the uppermost impress-ion cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle and tiie lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle; each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindricstereotype plates on one half its periphery and having a semi'cylindric ink distributing plate on the opposite half of its periphery; an ink supply; form rollers cooperating with said ink supply and distributing plate to ink the printing plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of the second unit to perfect the web, said means including spaced guide rollers whereby the web is so led between the impression cylinders of each unit that the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions produced by the same plate cylindcr and the second impression cylinder of the unit; intermeshing gearing between all the plate and impression cylinders, and means for positively and directly driving the first impress-ion cylinder of each unit.

10. In a printing press a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder of like diameter; the plate cylinder being adapted to carry semicyiindric printing plates on one-half of its periphery and a semi-cylindric inking plate on the other half of its periphery, the inking plate being slightly less in thickness than the printing plates; the impression cylinder'being so packed that half of the impression cylinder which cooperates with the printing plate is of slightly greater radius than that half of the impression cylinder which comes opposite the inking plate, the difference in thickness of the printing plates and inking plate and in the packing of the blanket cylinder' providing clearance for the web between said cylinders while the inking plate is passing the impression cylinder.

11,11100111bi1f1-atl011 with printing cylinders as set forth in claim 10; means for leadinga web between the cylinders, gearing between the plate and impression cylinders, and rollersadapt-ed to distribute ink on the inkingplate and to supply ink therefrom to the printing plates, said rollers being mounted in stationary bearings while in operation.

12. In a printing press a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder of like diameter; the plate cylinder being adapted to carry semicylindric printing plates on one-half of its periphery and a semi-cylindric inking plate on the other half of its periphery; the inking plate being slightly less in thickness than the printing plates; the impression cylinder having a blanket and a semi-cylindric member under that half of the blanket which cooperates with the printing plate whereby the radius of the half of the impression cylinder which cooperates with the printing plate is slightly greater than the radius of that portion of the blanket cylinder which comes opposite the inking plate; the difference in thickness of the printing plates and inking plate and in the packing of the blanket cylinder providing clearance for the web between said cylinders when the inking plate is passing the impression cylinder.

13. In combination with cylinders as set forth in claim 12; means for leading web between the cylinders, gearing between the plate and impression cylinders, and rollers adapted to both distribute ink on the inking plate and to supply ink to the printing plates, said rollers being mounted in stationary bearings while in operation.

14. In a printing press two printing units each including a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders cooperating therewith all the cylinders being of like diameter; each plate cylinder being adapted to carry semicylindric printing plates on one-half of its periphery and a semi-cylindric inking plate on the other half of its periphery, the inking plate being slightly less in thickness than the printing plates; the impression cylinder having a blanket and a semi-cylindric member under that half of the blanket which cooperates with the printing plate; whereby the radius of the half of the impression cylinder which cooperates with the printing plate is slightly greater than the radius of that p0rtion of the blanket cylinder which comes opposite the inking plate; the difference in thickness of the printing plates and inking plate and in the packing of the blanket cylinders providing clearance for the web between said cylinders and the plate cylinders when the inking plates are passing the impression cylinders.

15. In a printing press as set forth in claim l-l; means for leading a web successively between the plate and impression cylinders in each unit, gearing for driving the cylinders, and rollers adapted to both distribute ink on the inking plates and to supply ink to the printing plates, said rollers being mounted in stationary bearings while in operation.

16. In a printing press of the character specified two printing units each comprising i,757,eoi

a plate cylinder and two impression cylinders disposed at opposite sides of the plate cylinder and cooperating therewith, the said units being arranged at an angle to each other with the uppermost impression cylinders in the units at the apex of the angle and the lowermost impression cylinders in the units spaced apart at the base of the triangle; each plate cylinder being adapted to carry a single set of semi-cylindric stereotype plates on one half its periphery and having a semi-cylindric ink distributing plate on the opposite half of its periphery; an ink supply; form rollers cooperating with said ink supply and distributing plate to ink the printing plates between successive impressions therefrom; means for directing a web successively between the impression cylinders a rd plate cylinders of the first unit to print the web on one side, and then successively between the impression cylinders and plate cylinders of ti e second unit to perfect the web, said means including spaced guide rollers whereby the web is so led between the impression cylinders of each unit that the blank spaces between impressions produced by the plate cylinder and first impression cylinder in each unit being filled by the impressions pro duced by the same plate cylinder and the second impression cylinder of the unit; a gear on each cylinder intermeshing with a gear on the adjacent cylinder, whereby the cylinders are rotated in unison, a motor driven shaft and worm gearing between said shaft and the first impression cylinder of the first unit and direct worm gearing between said shaft and the last impression cylinder of the second unit.

JOSEPH LEVI COX. 

